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What's on this week: Cheltenham returns before Derby favourite runs at Doncaster

The winter jumps season offers opportunities to focus on a particular area and find your edge
Cheltenham: racing returns to Prestbury Park this weekCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Monday

The Flat turf season begins to wind down towards its conclusion next month with Bath and Pontefract staging their final fixtures of the year.

The feature race at the Yorkshire track is the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes (2.20) and sees the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover bid to get back to winning ways following his second in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes last time out.

The jumps action in Britain comes from Plumpton where Botox Has makes his chasing debut (3.40), while there are also cards from Gowran and Wolverhampton.

Tuesday

Field sizes continue to disappoint with just 41 horses declared at Exeter for what is usually a competitive card. Mick Pastor bids to complete a four-timer in the Best Mate Novices' Limited Handicap Chase in a match race (1.00).

Racing comes from Exeter on Tuesday, although small fields will be present
Racing comes from Exeter on Tuesday, although small fields will be presentCredit: Edward Whitaker

Yarmouth's mile fillies' novice (1.23) has been won by some smart prospects in the past and another could be unearthed in the shape of A Cappella for John and Thady Gosden and Lord Lloyd-Webber.

The first All-Weather Championships qualifier takes place at Newcastle (3.25), while there is also racing at Gowran and at Kempton in the evening.

Wednesday

An intriguing card at Newmarket could unearth some stars of next season including in the mile novice (3.50), which was won last year by Irish Derby and St Leger hero Hurricane Lane.

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin could be represented in the race this time by Perseus Way who made a winning start at Leicester this month, while a host of other potential Group-race performers could be on show on the seven-race card, including in the mile fillies' handicap (3.15).

The two British jumps fixtures come from Fontwell and Worcester, while the other Flat action takes place at Navan and Kempton.

AHOY SENOR ridden by Derek Fox wins at AINTREE 9/4/21Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
Ahoy Senor: Grade 1 winner could make debut over fences at CarlisleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Thursday

Carlisle could be set to welcome a star performer on its six-race card as Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Ahoy Senor is entered to make his debut over fences in the 2m4f novice chase (2.30), while there are informative jumps cards at Ludlow and Newton Abbot too, where subsequent top-level winner Metier won the novice hurdle (2.48) last year.

Some popular performers could be on show in the He'llberemembered Hurdle (3.30) at Thurles, which could see a fascinating clash between Grade 1 winner Commander Of Fleet and Grand National second Balko Des Flos.

An evening fixture at Wolverhampton completes the day's action.

Friday

Jump racing is back at Cheltenham as the track stages the first day of the Showcase meeting, with some classy stars set to grace Prestbury Park once more.

Poignantly, the 3m1f amateur riders' handicap chase (4.50) will be run in memory of Andy Stewart, the legendary owner of Big Buck's who died last month, while the 2m4f novice hurdle (1.55) and 2m novice chase (2.30) have a rich history of producing above-average performers.

Doncaster and Newbury stage the first of their respective two-day meetings before evening all-weather action from Wolverhampton and Dundalk, where the Group 3 Mercury Stakes run in memory of Pat Smullen (6.45) is the feature.

Derby favourite Luxembourg could be the star name at Doncaster
Derby favourite Luxembourg could be the star name at DoncasterCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Saturday

The second day of the Showcase meeting takes place at Cheltenham and those in action on the card will be hoping to emulate the likes of Frodon and Allmankind, who made their seasonal bows in the 3m1f handicap chase (2.20) and Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.55) on last year's card before going on to Grade 1 glory subsequently.

The day's other jumps card in Britain comes from Kelso, but the last Group 1 of the Flat season takes centre stage at Doncaster with the Vertem Futurity Trophy (3.15) in which the unbeaten Luxembourg may aim to enhance his leading Derby credentials for next year.

Newbury's final Flat fixture stages a pair of Group 3s in the Horris Hill (2.00) and St Simon Stakes (2.35) and a Listed contest before evening action from Chelmsford.

The Irish meetings come from Leopardstown and Galway.

Sunday

The jumps cranks up another notch once again with Aintree hosting the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase, won by the likes of Kauto Star, Monet's Garden and Albertas Run previously. There is also a jumps meeting from Wincanton.

In Ireland, the action comes from Galway and Wexford.


Read these next:

'It's a meeting I've always liked' – Elliott to send strong squad to Cheltenham

'He's just a legend' – popular Sceau Royal storms to success on jumps return

'Mares' Hurdle here we come!' – Cheltenham target for American National winner


Pick up your copy of The Big Jump Off, our all-new 72-page pullout free in the Racing Post on Monday, October 18 and featuring the views of Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, Patrick Mullins, Paul Nicholls, James Willoughby, Katie Walsh, Richard Johnson, Keith Melrose, Chris Cook, Lee Mottershead, David Jennings, Gavin Lynch, Lizzie Kelly, Graeme Rodway, Dave Orton, Steve Mason, Tom Collins and more!


Matt RennieReporter

Published on 18 October 2021inNews

Last updated 09:10, 18 October 2021

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